Over the last year I’ve lost four stone in weight (though given that the boy and I demolished three chocolate reindeers over the weekend it’s a little less than that now). I’ve cut my body mass index (BMI) from a gut-busting 36 or thereabouts to 27. I have another stone and a half before I manage to...

This time of year it’s all too easy to let your spending get out of control. I’ve got a sizeable credit card bill thanks to Christmas spending – including our trip to Edinburgh – and it has to be paid by the end of this month unless I want to accrue interest. Which I don’t, obviously, so that means ...

I have singularly failed this year to make one of my resolutions: namely, to update my will. And I feel really stupid about it. My current will was written not long after my husband died nearly 10 years ago. It’s a professionally-written, water-tight will which expresses my desires accurately (most ...

It’s been a long time but at last there has been some good news for savers. Even though base rate has not changed thanks to increased competition there are now some good deals out there. And now is a good time to get your savings strategy in place in time for 2019: here are five ways to ensure you’r...

Unless you’ve got a turbo-charged sleigh, enabling you to make last-minute deliveries anywhere in the world, then the easiest Christmas present for friends and relatives overseas is cash. Indeed, it’s probably a good option for anyone you’re not going to see over the Christmas period even if they ar...

We're off on our Christmas holidays now and will be back in full force at the start of 2019. What a year it's been. We've had everything from Brexit worries to royal weddings to Noel Edmonds rebooted. Join us again in the New Year as Charlotte and I once again negotiate the money jungle! Thank...

What will happen in 2019 and how will it impact your money? Today I’ve polished up the Mystic Minted crystal ball for a quick look ahead to next year. Of course nobody knows what will happen in 2019. Even the experts cannot accurately predict events and their outcome. But there are probably a few th...

Should I stay or should I go is a question not just on the lips of MPs right now. Many investors are wondering whether they should sell their stocks and shares Isa now before everything goes down the toilet. Last week, Brexit fears pushed share prices below their 1999 level (remember when we were pa...

Bank accounts for 11 year olds? Whatever next? Scarily it is possible for your tweenager to have a fully functioning debit card of their own at such a tender age. Some parents will worry that this kind of access to cash means going overboard on in-game purchases. The flip side of the argument is tha...

Inheritance planning might not be on your mind right now – or at least until you see old Aunt Agatha dozing off over her sherry on Christmas Day. But actually the festive season is a good time to start thinking about passing on wealth, for both gifters and giftees. It’s important because there’s ple...

Welcome

Fancy some time out or thinking about a gap year? You’ll need more than a bikini. If someone nicks your stuff or you get ill, you’ll need insurance to help you out.

Don’t rely on existing policies (like those with credit cards). They are usually limited to 45 days. You need specialist backpacker or gap year insurance that runs for longer.

Find a policy that allows you a quick visit home if needed.

There are limits on how much the insurer pays out for theft. The baggage allowance may seem generous but it doesn’t include cameras, mobile phones or laptops. These are “valuables” which might have a smaller limit. Check you’ve enough cover or leave the tech at home.

MISSING

If you’re already ill before your trip (called pre-existing conditions) and you don’t tell the insurance company, they might not pay up if the worst happens while you’re away.

Expect to party but, if you’re off your head and you hurt yourself, see above.

Get an EHIC card if you’re going to Europe so you can get medical treatment in most European countries for low or no cost. This card is free from https://www.gov.uk/european-health-insurance-card. Don’t buy it from rogue websites which charge.

Planning a bungee-jump? Make sure that’s allowed. Ditto working or volunteering.

It’s simple to buy the insurance online. Use a comparison website such as www.moneysavingexpert.com. You put in your details and the dates/location of your trip and the site highlights the best available policy from its panel of insurance firms. To find the best policy in the whole market, go to www.defaqto.com/star-ratings and click on travel insurance.

Expect to pay around £250 for a year’s policy from firms we like such as Insure & Go, Endsleigh, Top Dog and Virgin Money. Prices vary depending on your age, destination and length of travel.

Word of Mouth:

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